The Melville Millionaires couldn’t capitalize on home ice Friday night, dropping a 2-1 shootout decision to the visiting La Ronge Ice Wolves at the CN Community Centre.
The win was La Ronge’s first since February 3 and evens the season series at 2-2.
Brown Steals the Show for Ice Wolves
Grayden Perozni scored the lone regulation goal for La Ronge, but it was 20-year-old netminder Graham Brown who made the difference. Brown turned aside 38 of 39 shots through regulation and overtime, then stopped two of three shooters in the shootout to secure the victory.
The Ice Wolves snapped a 10-game losing streak and have now picked up three of a possible six points on their road swing, which wraps up Saturday in Yorkton.
Extra-Time Woes Continue for Melville
The struggles past regulation continue for the Millionaires. Melville falls to 1-5 in shootouts — scoring just once in six shootout games — and sits 3-4 in overtime.
Overall, the Mils have dropped nine of the 13 games they’ve played that have gone beyond 60 minutes.
Power Play Misses Key Opportunity
The Millionaires’ power play, which has shown improvement in the second half, did deliver the third-period tying goal off the stick of Hudson Binder. However, a full two-minute five-on-three opportunity later in the frame went unconverted.
Melville finished 1-for-7 on the night and just 2-for-19 on the man advantage in the four-game season series against La Ronge — a decisive factor in a tightly contested matchup.
Road Test Ahead Against Estevan
The schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Millionaires now play three of their next four games against the Estevan Bruins, beginning Saturday night at Affinity Place.
Elsewhere in the SJHL
Yorkton 7, Nipawin 2
The Yorkton Terriers erupted for four goals in the second period en route to a 7-2 win over the Nipawin Hawks.
Gabriel Courchesne had a goal and two assists, while William Leonard chipped in with three helpers. Vinay Junek, Brett Buckley, Cash Lanigan, Thomas Ries and Jye Zawatsky also scored as Yorkton moved six points clear of Weyburn atop the Bunge Division.
Braeden Jockims and Mason Karakochuk replied for Nipawin, which dropped its second straight.
Melfort 4, Flin Flon 3
The Melfort Mustangs erased an early two-goal deficit and stormed back to defeat the Flin Flon Bombers 4-3, extending their winning streak to 10 games.
Kaleb Binner, Carter Bilous, Dru Mushumanski and Nolan Patterson scored for Melfort, while goaltender Madden Mullawka was sharp with 39 saves.
Flin Flon, now 14-11-1-1 on the road, got goals from Nathan Lalumiere, Wyatt Stinton and Landon Alexander.
Warman 4, Kindersley 3
The Kindersley Klippers saw their playoff hopes dented in a 4-3 loss to the Warman Wolverines.
Oliver Nottingham scored the eventual game-winner late in the second period, while Carter Bergen, Riley Rich-Holden and Kayden Yeaman also tallied for Warman.
Pryce Thiessen, Van Egen and Brock Evans scored for Kindersley, which has now lost five straight and sits three points out of a playoff spot with four games remaining.
Humboldt 4, Battlefords 2
The Humboldt Broncos moved to within three points of the final playoff position with a 4-2 win over the Battlefords North Stars.
Gabriel Kaminski scored twice, including the tying goal midway through the third period, before Kayson Christian netted his first SJHL goal as the game-winner. Logan Flint also found the back of the net.
Drew Williamson and Carter Geysen replied for Battlefords, who slipped to third overall. Brady Holtvogt made 47 saves in the win, while Spencer Michnik stopped 40 of 44 shots in defeat.
